Brush rake



Nov. 21 1950 Filed Feb. '7, 1947 J. F. FALL BRUSH RAKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR John FFZZ&

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INVENTOR John 17 JZZZZ k QQ---- Y m E. m w A n .r m m H. L1 QN Q Q mm mm mm Mm ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 21, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRUSH RAKE John F. Fall, New Paltz, N. Y.

Application February 7, 1947, Serial No. 727,165

2 Claims.

My invention relates to loading devices and in particular to an improved brush pusher, buck rake, or the like, for hydraulic or other powered operation from a vehicle.

In presently available devices of the character indicated, construction almost entirely involves the use of such structural members as angle stock, channels, flats, and the like. Due to the high bending moments, torques, and other force factors which must be contemplated in designing these devices, it has been necessary to reinforce all joints by the employement of braces, trusses, etc. The employment of these additional members encumbers the device and presents numerous corners, cracks, and ridges in which brush, hay, or other material to be raked or pushed is prone to catch. It is thus difficult at best, if not impossible, to withdraw rakes of this kind from under a load; and, if withdrawal is possible, the discharged load is frequently strewn over an excessive and undesired area.

It is, accordingly, an object of my invention to provide an improved brush pusher, buck rake, or the like. i

It is another object to provide an improved power-operated attachment for use with a tractor or other vehicle.

It is a further object to provide an improved rake construction presenting a minimum number of encumbering elements in which brush, hay,

or other material may catch-in other words, it is desired to provide a device which will not foul the material it is pushing or loading.

It is a more specific object to provide an improved tooth construction for a device of the character indicated.

Other objects and various further features of the invention will be pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following specification in conjunction with the Fig. 1, showing the rake in its lowered position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially in the plane 3-3 of Fig. l and illustrating a structural feature of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to ,Fig. 3 and illustrating an alternative construction according to the invention; and

Fig. 5 is another view similar to Fig. 3 and 2 illustrating a further embodiment of the invention.

Briefly stated, my invention in the preferred form contemplates a rake or the like construction in which tubular members are employed to sustain substantially all the high torque or bending-moment loads encountered in use of the device. More specifically, the improved construction involves the use of a transversely extending torque-tube frame member, with longitudinally extending supports and tooth members secured thereto. The supports and the tooth members are preferably tubular and intersect opposite sides of the torque tube along lines of intersection which extend over the full peripheries of these members. Welds complete the joints.

Referring to the drawings, my invention is shown in application to a buck rake Ill pivotally supported on a tractor I l for hydraulic actuation. In the form shown, support for the rake I0 is provided by a triangular system of braces comprising a primary support member l2 pivoted as at l3 to the frame of the tractor ll, an upstanding tie piece l4, and a tension member I5. Hydraulic actuators l6 pivotally engage forward parts I! of the tractor H as well as the point of juncture of the support members 14-45. It will be understood that upon actuation of hydraulic pressure beneath the pistion l8 of the actuator it, the entire rake It may be elevated as by rotation about the pivotal suppot l3. The elements which have thus far been described are well known in the art and therefore form no part of the present invention.

In accordance with the invention, the rake i0 is built around a single transversely extending frame member l9 which is preferably tubular. Since the purpose of the member 19 is to absorb large torques and bending-moment loads, it may referred to as a torque tube. Spaced along the torque tube [9 are a plurality of tooth members 2%], which at their juncture with the torque tube [9 are preferably also of tubular construction. In the form shown, the tooth members 29 are short sockets of tubular material to replaceably receive teeth 2|, which may be of wood or other material.

Although the diameter of the torque tube l9 and the diameters of tooth sockets 20 may bear any desired relation to each other, I prefer that the torque-tube diameter exceed that of the sockets 29. I also prefer that the sockets 20 completely intersect the torque tube I9 so that the line OI intersection runs continuously about the 3 periphery of the sockets 20. Welds 22-23 on this line of intersection serve to complete the joint between the members |92||, and these welds are preferably substantially continuous about the joint.

The principal support member |2 for the rake I is also preferably tubular, at least at the end at which it is secured to the torque tube l9. This supportingjoint may be similar to that between the torque tube I9 and the sockets 20 and may be completed as by welds 2425.

In accordance with a feature of the invention,.

means are provided for readily attaching and re' moving teeth 2| inserted in the sockets 20." In the form shown, a nail, screw, or other securing device 26, may be driven through an aperture 21 in the cylindrical shell of the socket 20 to hold'an inserted tooth 2| in place. If, as frequently occurs, the tooth 2| should break off so as to render difiicult a removal of the remaining stub, I provide meansr communicating generally diametrically across the torque tube l9 and into thebase of thetooth socket 2B for forcibly ejecting the broken tooth stub. In the form shown, a small tube 28, appropriately secured as by Welds to the tube l9, provides a suitable guide for properly aligning a rod,'spike, or other implement to drive outa tooth2 In accordance with another feature of the invention, the rake lll may be provided with a back 29 so as to perform the functions of a pusher. In the form shown", the back 29 comprises a plurality of upstanding frame members 30, which may be of angle stock suitably cut for juncture with the :torque :tube I9. The frame members 30 may be trussedas by flats 3|, also cut to thecurvature of "the torque tube I9. I prefer that the spread between-the frame members 30 and the truss elements 3I-"issuch' that when these members are secured was by welds 32) to the torque tube- I9 they derive their support from substantially diametrically spaced points on th'etorque tube I9. Transverselyextending stringer elements. 33, which maybe coextensive with the torque tube l9, are secured'to the frame m'ember"30" and complete the back or pusher structure of the rake In accordance with an alternative constructio'mand referringparticularly to Fig. 4, I show howimproved support may be provided for the socket members at the expense of cutting holes in" the torque tube In the form shown, the socket members Ellare made to span the torque tube I9 soas 'to intersect both sides thereof. The

holes in the torque tube |9 to accommodate this of "the torque tube l and may be welded there-- to. This joint may be similar in all respects to that described above in Fig. 4, between a tooth socket 20 and the torque tube l9. It will be noted Cir that in either of the arrangements of Figs. 4 or 5, ready access is available to permit forcible dislodgment of stuck rake teeth.

It will be understood that I have described a relatively simple rake or pusher construction that is inherently capable of withstanding high stresses and torques. For a capacity equal to those of conventional rakes and pushers, my construction may be relatively light in weight. Since the device is light and presents no snagging edges for brush, hay, or the like to catch upon, it may be employed with greater ease and efiectiveness than is possible with existing devices. Provision for easy access to the base of each tooth socket eliminates much wasted time in dislodging broken and stuck teeththus further increasing the efficiency of the attachment.

Although I have described my invention in detail for the preferred forms shown, it will be understood that modifications may be made within the scope-of the invention as defined in the claims which'follow.

I'claim:

1. In a rake of the character 'indicated,'a pair of transversely spaced tubular support members for pivotal attachment at one end to a vehicle, a transversely extending torque-tube frame member of diameter larger than the diameter of said support members, said torque-tube frame member having transversely spaced pairs of diametricall'y opposed openings, said support members each engaging separate pairs of openings and being welded to said torque-tube frame member at said openings, and a plurality of tooth-socket members of tubular material of adi'ameter less "relatively to said tubular support members, so

that a rigid rake framework'may be elevated by pivoting from points longitudinally spaced from said torque-tube frame member.

2A rake according to claim 1, in which a transversely extending rigid backing framework is secured to said'torque-tube frame member and extendsupwardly of the general plane of said tubular members.

JOHN F. FALL.

REFERENCES -CITED The following references are of record in the fileof this patent:

UNITED STATESPATENTS Number Name Date 1,817,697 Mahre Aug. 4, 1931 2,244,857 Sletten June 10, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS:

Number Country Date 50,799. Austria Nov. 25, 1911 

